I love to play at Oasis, of course, and it's going to be a great show. But I am still disappointed that I'll not be playing at The Barking Dog. It's a venue I have played before, at its old Beaumont location anyway, when it was under different management. And it's another cool little coffee house venue that has the potential to be another showcase of local talent. I was sincerely looking forward to introducing my fans to the place. Unfortunately, after booking my first show at their Orange location and already putting time and energy into marketing the show, the new management surprised me and the other talent by insisting we agree not to play any other venue within a certain mile radius and number of days prior to my scheduled show date.
Sorry guys. No can do. I do understand your intent, but let's be realistic: you're not Cynthia Woods Pavilion and I'm not Keith Urban (yet!). However, I'm doing this full-time and need to work when and wherever I can. It's how I pay my bills.
More importantly, though, I object on principle. Local venues should be supporting local talent, period. It's win-win for everybody. The more local talent has access to perform at a variety of venues, wherever the venue, the greater the following they can develop; and they'll bring that following back to your venue the next time you book them! It's a mentality based on abundance, not scarcity; where the bigger you make the pie means more for everybody, and there's no arguing over who gets the biggest individual piece.
I sincerely wish everyone at The Barking Dog the very best of luck. Their success will benefit all of us. And if they ever change their position on handling local artists, I'll be open to playing there again.
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Thanks for the good wishes. Lol, we are not trying to be Cynthia Woods by any means. We do love to showcase local talent, but we are not going to book bands more than 4-6 times a month; that is why when we book a band, we ask that they do not play anywhere close for 3 wks prior. Open mic is only twice a month for now. We are not doing near as much live music in Orange as we did in Beaumont, by choice.
ReplyDeleteWe do have community support from the greater Orange area, and that's important to us.
Alex was referred to us in Beaumont by Amy Jones, a good friend of ours. We enjoyed his performance twice at the Barking Dog-Beaumont location under our ownership.
Good luck Alex. You have great talent.
Tanya and Chris
The Barking Dog Coffee Lounge
It's hard to believe that a coffee house would try to put these kinds of restrictions on the talent that plays there. Who do they think they are? They should be glad that such great local talent would even consider playing such a small venue in an out of the way place at night. Sounds like the management of the Barking Dog has some control issues & that doesn't fare well in a laid back environment. Why on earth would a band agree to such an absurd proposition that would make them slaves to the Barking Dog. Alex, good for you not to fall for their ridiculous demands. You are a far too talented & nice guy & trust me the Barking Dog needs you way more than you need them. I look forward to seeing you at the Oasis & your other venues & I can't wait for your debut CD.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, if you really knew us, you would know for a fact that we do not have control issues. In fact, if you would look at our website, we only book bands a few times a month; as I said before, by choice. Why would I want to make bands "slaves" to The Barking Dog? THAT is a ridiculous statement. Bands need to get as much as exposure as possible. I get that! I just made a contract to make sure they get the best crowd they can at our venue if and when they play there. And, yes we are a very small venue; again, by choice. I should not have to defend my decisions to anyone. If you have a business, you would understand that you have to make choices from time to time that may not please everyone. I have never said one derogatory statement about Alex, and I would appreciate that in return.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Tanya